[LINK] "China to pay a steep price in Saudi-Iran conflict"

[rfmcdonald]

Al Jazeera's Richard Javad Heydarian reports on China's distinct lack of interest in choosing between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

With respect to Iran, Beijing viewed the Middle Eastern power as both a reliable bulwark against Western hegemony in the Middle East as well as a steady and affordable source of hydrocarbon resources.

Over the years, amid deepening tensions between Tehran and the West, particularly over the former's nuclear programme, China replaced Europe as Iran's top source of technology and capital.

But this didn't prevent China from cultivating deeper economic engagement with Sunni powers such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which gradually anticipated a post-US order in the Middle East.

Over the past decade, China's trade with the Middle East expanded by 600 percent, reaching $230bn. Despite its growing economic preponderance, Beijing's policy approach to the region, however, was marked by commercial pragmatism and low-key diplomacy.

The deepening sectarian conflagration in the Middle East, however, is threatening China's expanding interests in the Middle East. Though Saudi-Iranian tensions have so far had a minimal impact on oil prices, any major regional conflict will adversely impact China’s energy security.

It was precisely the concern over regional stability that encouraged Chinato play a key role in facilitating the implementation of the Iranian nuclear agreement, even if this allows a post-sanctions Tehran to reduce its economic dependence on Beijing. Saudi-Iranian cooperation is also key to resolving the ongoing civil wars in places such as Yemen and Syria, which have gradually become a haven for extremist groups.